Kulgam: Minister for Education, Health and Medical Education, and Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo on Saturday chaired a district-level farmers’ awareness programme at D.K. Marg in Kulgam, organised by the Department of Horticulture under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
According to an official statement, the programme aimed to familiarise orchardists and farmers with modern horticultural practices, scientific interventions and government schemes intended to improve productivity and income.
Addressing the gathering, Itoo stressed the need for providing farmers with technical guidance and sustained institutional support to strengthen the horticulture sector and improve livelihoods.
The minister also visited an exhibition featuring stalls set up by the Horticulture Department and allied departments, showcasing government schemes, technological interventions and services available to farmers. Technical experts interacted with participants and addressed their queries.
During the technical session, experts from SKUAST-Kashmir spoke about the university’s research and extension initiatives and delivered a lecture on integrated insect pest management, highlighting scientific and eco-friendly approaches to pest control in fruit crops.
The Department of Horticulture displayed locally grown and exotic fruits, quality planting material and various fruit varieties. A horticulture help desk was also established to provide technical guidance, grievance redressal and information on departmental schemes.
On the occasion, the minister released the publication Building a Greener, Prosperous Kulgam, documenting achievements under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) over the past three years.
The statement said Itoo also heard public grievances and assured people that their issues would be addressed.
Later, she laid the foundation stone for the Horticulture Development Office Complex and an additional classroom at Government Middle School Kounsarbal and Babapora. She also inaugurated a Rapid Sand Filtration (RSF) plant at Ahmadabad Trangzadoo.
